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We found this old board at a recycle shop, cleaned it up and painted a happy message on it to greet guests. If you can't find a piece of salvaged wood the right size, buy a new one, paint it, then distress it by sanding and banging it up with hand tools.

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Prep the Board

Wear a mask. Clean the board with a shop vac to get any paint flakes off. Wipe down with a damp rag. Measure the board and plan out your design on paper.

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Create the Design

Create a template for the letters on three paper bags. For a 70" x 24" salvaged board, letters should be at least 16" square.

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Trace Letters

Tape letters onto board and outline with marker.

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Outline With a Knife

Remove templates and use razor knife to cut along the marker lines. Go over it a few times to make the lines wider and deeper.

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Go Over With Saw

Go over them again with a hand saw to create a rough line look. Vacuum to remove all dust and wood chips.

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Paint Letters

Paint inside the lines, but leave some of the finish/paint underneath exposed. Let dry. If necessary, put on a second coat and let dry. Use sandpaper to scrape away the paint in some spots to give it an aged look.

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Apply Finish and Add Hardware

Shellac wood, front and back two times.

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Add D-rings to the back of the wood. Hang with wire.

Joanne Palmisano is the author of Salvage Secrets (W.W. Norton, September 2011). Visit her blog, also called Salvage Secrets.